Quota for flatfish increased

An increase in the amount of flatfish that can be caught off the east and south coast of the South Island is estimated to be worth about $1.8 million to the commercial fishing industry.

Fisheries Minister Phil Heatley has announced an increase of 350 tonnes in the total allowable catch (TAC) for the area known as FLA3 because of larger than normal numbers of flatfish, especially lemon sole and New Zealand sole, available this year.

Port Chalmers Fishing Co-operative president Steve Little said local trawlermen were almost entirely dependent on flatfish to make a living, so the increase was welcome.

"This increase is seen as a positive initiative by the new Fisheries Minister Phil Heatley."

However, it was a "purely a short-term solution" as the previous reduced TAC would be back in place for the new quota year 2009-10, he said.

The 350-tonne increase only represented a reinstatement of 5% of the TAC.

"It certainly gives fishermen and processors hope that a long-term review will be implemented so the flatfish can continue to be caught in local waters and through to Southland, which has also landed abundant fish."

The FLA3 area runs from Banks Peninsula to Cascade Point, north of Milford Sound, and did not take into account the very localised variations in catch due to environmental factors and fishing practices, he said.

Ministry inshore fishery manager Rose Grindley said flatfish numbers naturally fluctuated and in some years there were large numbers of fish available.

"The in-season increase means fishers can make the most of the high numbers of fish around at the moment while we make sure the fishery is sustainable for the future."

The increase would only apply to commercial fishers and was estimated to be worth $1.8 million to the commercial fishing industry, she said.

The FLA3 fishery is made up of yellow-belly flounder, sand flounder, black flounder, greenback flounder, lemon sole, brill and turbot.

An increase in fish numbers was thought to be due to environmental factors such as water temperature, the availability of food and the influence of ocean currents and weather patterns.

Catch limits in the fishery would revert to previous levels at the end of the current fishing year on September 30.

rebecca.fox@odt.co.nz.